Effect of conductive yarn crimp in radiation patch on electromagnetic performance of 3D integrated microstrip antenna

A three-dimensionally integrated microstrip antenna (3DIMA) is a microstrip antenna woven into the three-dimensional woven composite for load bearing while functioning as an antenna. In this study, the effect of conductive yarn crimp on electromagnetic performance of 3DIMAs are investigated by designing, simulating and experimental testing of two microstrip antennas with different patch woven structures: one woven in plain weave pattern with most yarn crimp and the other woven orthogonally without yarn crimp. The measured voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of the crimp free 3DIMA was 1.05 at the resonant frequency of 1.31 GHz; while that of the crimped 3DIMA was 1.78 at the resonant frequency of 1.41 GHz. In addition, the measured radiation pattern of the crimp free 3DIMA in its radiating patch has smaller back lobe and side lobes than those of the crimped 3DIMA. This result indicates that yarn crimp may have a negative impact on electromagnetic performance of textile structural antennas.